Potter salutes 'incredible' attitude

17th August
First team

Graham Potter hailed his players’ “incredible” character after Swansea City’s goalless draw at Birmingham City.

The Swans saw their 100 per cent record in 2018-19 go, but Potter was pleased with the effort and desire on show as his team made it three games unbeaten.

Birmingham were the better side in the first half, when the Swans would have trailed but for a combination of poor Blues finishing and good goalkeeping from Erwin Mulder.

But the visitors improved after the break and, while they lacked attacking threat, Potter was happy to emerge with a point.

“We have to credit Birmingham tonight – I thought they did what they wanted to do really well,” said the Swans boss.

“I said before the game that it’s a hostile place when the crowd are behind the team and credit to Birmingham, they deserved to win the game.

“We were fortunate to be 0-0 at half-time – we needed a bit of luck to be there.

“In the second half we stabilised a little bit. We have to remember we are quite a young group and I think coming into this environment was a bit of a shock. We have to adapt better in future.

“We didn’t play as well as we can, but once again the character, attitude and desire to stick in the game and fight for each other was incredible.

“We are delighted with the way we stuck in there and did the work we needed to do.

“When you do that, you have a chance.”

The Swans were roared on by more than 1,500 noisy fans as they battled their way to a second successive clean sheet.

Potter’s men now have seven points on the board after three games of his Liberty reign, and the new manager reckons the Jack Army have played their part in securing that haul.

“The fans have been brilliant,” he added.

“I think they understand what we are trying to do and where we are now, and they have supported us brilliantly.

“They understand that a lot of players have left and that we are quite inexperienced at this level, but that the foundation in terms of players trying their best and working hard for the team is there.

“We just need to improve our process and our performance now, but that takes a bit of time.”